Browne misses opener

DECLAN BROWNE will miss Friday night’s opening Test in the Fosters International Rules Series against Australia after suffering a dead leg in a clash with a Western Australia player during yesterday’s warm-up game.

However, the management team are hopeful he will be fit for the second test in Melbourne in ten days.

"The fact that it's muscular means he has a chance. Hopefully, he will be all right for the second game," admitted manager John O'Keeffe.

"Declan is one of these superb finishers and I had held him on the bench a long time. I just wanted to give him a short run. He was unfortunate."

The Irish manager admitted he had been 'upset' by the challenge, describing it as 'totally off the ball.' Indeed he called a halt to the game at the end of the third quarter, on the basis that a repetition of this type of tackling could have had even more serious consequences.

The offending player, Ashley Prescott, made a profuse apology later and insisted there had been no malice in his action.

The game was played against the same opposition a Western Australia selection and the same venue as the one involving the Australian team the day before. And, not to be outfoxed, the Irish players mixed their (named) jerseys just as the home players had done.

Ireland won 53-10, with Colin Corkery and Dessie Dolan joint top scorers with nine points and Shane Ryan capping impressive form with one of the three goals.

"Overall, the game was important, particularly the physical aspect. It was a wake-up call for us. It was a much tougher test than previous warm-up games where we played 19 year-old academy players. This was real physical stuff, " said O'Keeffe.

Laois star Beano McDonald suffered minor ankle ligament damage, after his foot got caught in a boot lace. However, he is likely to line out on Friday night.

In mitigation, Prescott explained that he had little time to study the rules. "I should have made sure I knew a little bit more about the game.

"In our game, whatever pressure is coming from behind, you put a 'block' on. And, after playing the game as I have since I was about nine years old, I suppose I instinctively looked to protect my team-mate."

Interestingly, O'Keeffe reacted with surprise when told by an Australian that the particular tackle was permissible in the Rules game, commenting: "You can't be serious.

"There was no intention to play the ball and it happened up to 12 yards from where the ball was. That's not on in a friendly. I wouldn't expect it on Friday. It's not acceptable."

However he was happy that progress was being made. "In their warm-up game, the Australians looked quite strong as the game progressed. They play at a high intensity right through, which could create problems for us.

"We will create goal chances the next night. Will we take them is the big question."